Swimming appliance



Feb. 24, 1931. K. KNUDSEN 1,793,937

SWIMMING APPLIANCE Filed Oct. 10. 1927 mv NTOR X/gfl nudsen ATTORN EYPatented eb. 24, 1931 Q UNITED STATESPATENT OFFIC KRIST KNU DSEN, OFSEATTLE, WASHINGTON SWIMMING APPLIANCE Application filed October10,1927. Serial No. 225,355.

My invention relates to improvements in swinging appliances and theobject of my inapppliances of this nature which do not hamper the freeand easy movement of the feet, which are easily dragged forward throughthe water with slight resistance and which offer a maximum resistance tothe water on the backward or propelling stroke of the leg.

The bare feet afford a relatively small area that may be forced againstthe water to propel the body forward in the water and it is the objectof my invention to provide ap 'pliances which may be worn on the feet toafford a greater area for pressure against the water thereby enablingthe swimmer to develop a greater efliciency in proportion to the powerexpended.

Other and more specific objects will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawlngs:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a foot swimming applianceembodying my invention; 1

' Fig. 2 is a sectional View substantially on dotted line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the severalviews.

' The foot appliance embodying my invention is in the nature of a footblock 3 having a heelreceptacle 4 and straps 5 for securing it to thefoot. The walls of this foot block 3 are inclined or flared outwardlyand said foot block is hollowed on its bottom side affording anexpanding cup 6 that offers great resistance to the water on therearward stroke of the foot and small resistance to the water on theforward stroke of the foot. The bottom of said walls terminate in aplane substantially parallel to the plane of the top of the foot piece.

The construction is such as to permit the wearer to readily walk withthe swlmmmg appliance in applied position on the foot.

. This makes it possible for the wearer to walk over that portion of thebeach where there may be barnacled rocks or soft mud, while on his wayto deep water. a

The device serves to greatly increase the efficiency of the leg strokeand since the de vice is preferably made of light strong wood or othersuitable material which is substantially impervious to water and will besufficiently buoyant, it especially helps the 45 swimmer at the surfaceof the water. Thus the device enables the ordinary swimmer to cover muchgreater distances and obtain much greater speed with less effort thanwould be possible without the appliance.

Obviously, changes may be made in the form, dimensions, and arrangementof the parts of my invention without departing from the principlethereof, the above setting forth only a preferred form of embodiment.

I claim:

A swimming appliance embodying a foot piece whereon the foot may restsaid foot piece being of substantially the same size as the foot, meansfor securing said foot piece to the foot and integral flaring wallsextending downwardly and outwardly from the marginal portions of saidfoot piece to form a dish like cavity, the bottoms of said wallsterminating in a plane parallel to the plane of the top of the footpiece.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 3rd day of October,A. D. 1927.

KRIST KNUDSEN.

